Hughes vows to be positive

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will guard against complacency by telling his side not to sit back against Aalborg on Thursday.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 08:16, Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Mark Hughes

City hold a 2-0 lead going into the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie in Denmark and are firm favourites to claim a quarter-final place.

Hughes expects Aalborg to adopt an attacking approach as they chase the game but he does not want his players to spend 90 minutes soaking up pressure. Hughes said: "We'll be positive because we are a positive side, an attack-minded side - but there will be occasions when we have to be solid to give us the platform."

He added: "I'm sure they'll look to score first, try to put some pressure on us and hope the home crowd will get behind them and help them to get that second.

"But, from our point of view, we have got to be really positive and make sure we are nice and solid.

"They may have to change from their natural game and that is to our advantage.

"We have to ensure that, if we do get opportunities, we take them. If we get an away goal, that would make it very difficult for Aalborg."

Victory would put City into the last eight and a step closer to a first piece of major silverware since 1976.

Hughes added: "We think it is important for the standing of the team and profile of the club that we do well in Europe.

"We are pleased we are the sole representatives from England and we would love to progress to the latter stages. We have placed quite a lot of significance on it."

Comments Unavailable

Sorry, we are unable to accept comments about this article
at the moment. However, you will find some great articles
which you can comment on right now in our
Comment section.